Trust as a driver of teacher well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: This study examines the impact of organisational trust on teachers’ well-being during virtual teaching throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Uruguay (N = 351; 270 women, 81 men) using the Job Demands-Resources model for understanding. Method: This study was conducted by means of a Structural Equation Model. Results: The results show that trust in leaders and colleagues positively influences perceived personal resources and teachers’ engagement. Trust in leaders is positively related to organisational resources. Engagement is negatively linked to sleep problems, while high job demands are associated with more technostress, affecting teachers’ sleep problems. Conclusions: The importance of organisational trust in times of change is highlighted, emphasising its role in promoting positive psychological states and facilitating the use of resources to improve teachers’ well-being. The influence of trust on well-being is not direct but mediated by a series of variables.